HUGO CHAVEZ INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION
FOR PEACE, FRIENDSHIP AND SOLIDARITY
HCIF-PFS
Email contact: hugochavezfoundtaion@gmail.com
Public Statement for Immediate Release 13th January, 2026
HCIF-PFS ANNOUNCES THE LEAVE OUR LEADERS CAMPAIGN
Today is 13th January, 2026 and we, the volunteers of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS) have resolved to take our advocacy mission to another level. Our mission as always is rooted in our commitment to preserve the legacy of Hugo Chavez (Peace Be Upon Him)-the late President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. We advocate rules-based international order, to defend sovereignty and promote peace and stability, and to address common challenges, including defending and promoting human rights and environmental justice.
As part of a global movement calling for the release of the kidnapped President and First Lady of Venezuela, today, we of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity are proud to announce the launch of Leave Our Leaders. This will be a dedicated and consistent platform through which we can mobilise global opinion against the criminal attacks on progressive leaders in the triangle, including Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America.
The aim of this platform is to reinforce and accelerate the current global support and solidarity in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady of Venezuela, who are currently being held hostage in the United States. This campaign also seeks to challenge the unjust, illegal and forceful attacks on progressive leaders in Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Our partnership goes beyond condemning state terrorism. And our presence is already visible across the triangle through enhancing our activity in forging cultural connectivity, people to people contacts, defending and promoting human rights and environmental justice. This campaign brings together all persons that reject the abduction, kidnapping and unlawful detention of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in New York, and who are united in seeking the immediate and unconditional release of these great leaders.
The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS) is a firm believer in the peaceful and harmonious conduct of relationships amongst nations of the world. Much as we reject terrorism in all its forms, including by all those who resort to violence to achieve their goals whether political or otherwise, we are deeply troubled following the forceful abduction and kidnapping of the legitimate, constitutional and democratically-elected President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, His Excellency Nicolas Maduro Moros and his wife, Her Excellency Cilia Flores. They were kidnapped and held hostage in New York following the United States brutal military aggression and invasion of Venezuela, on 3rd January, 2026.
We raise our concern at the forceful assaults on Venezuela and the killings of many security and civilian people in the Latin American nation, and offer our condolences. We unequivocally condemn this heinous action as an act of intimidation, and a clear violation of international law, and a dangerous threat to the existence of the United Nations. We reiterate our unalloyed support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Venezuela and urge President Donald Trump to respect international law and stop his aggressive rhetoric and threats to destabilise sovereign nations like Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Iran, Africa, Russia, China, North Korea, Denmark, etc. We are also that the Trump administration in Washington means no good to peace and security.
The US attack on Venezuela, which borders on destabilisation is a cause for grave concern. Venezuela is a free, independent and sovereign member of the United Nations and its borders on air, land and sea are recognized by international law. For President Trump to claim he is assuming the leadership of Venezuela and control over the resources of the Latin American nation seriously undermined the integrity and credibility of the United Nations. We reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, and that all the charges against them be dropped.
The Trump administration in Washington has presented no credible evidence or moral argument whatsoever to justify its absurd charges levied against the Venezuelan leader and his wife. We continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela in their total rejection of US imperialism and neo-colonial-driven policies and attacks.
The US threats to the sovereignty of Venezuela is a serious development because it is unjust and illegal as it violates the United Nations Charter and international law. Our concern is that if the right of a peaceful State can be trampled upon and legally binding orders ignored, there is just no protection guarantee for any non-nuclear nation under international law.
President Nicolas Maduro’s plight reflects the oppression, suffering and collective punishment the Venezuelan people are going through due to the United States undeclared economic, obnoxious sanctions, sabotage and other hostile policies. These are heinous crimes and crimes against humanity, committed with impunity in Venezuela in the full view of the global community. The inaction or complicity of foreign powers only deepens the scars and wounds already inflicted on the Venezuelan nation.
The forceful abduction and kidnapping of a sitting, and legitimate, constitutional and democratically-elected President of a sovereign independent nation constitute a war crime. Hostage-taking is never a legitimate tactic in venting out a grievance. We appeal to the consciences of the hostage takers in Washington not to harm President Maduro and his wife.
The Trump administration, which is holding the President of Venezuela and his wife as hostage should release them so that they can be reunited with their friends, families and country people. It is even needless to remind the Trump administration in Washington that its hostility towards Venezuela has proven counterproductive; and this should be abandoned for the sake of peace and stability.
The Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity is not unaware of the US thirst for Venezuela’s petroleum and other natural resources, but this should not be pursued by violence. All over the world now people are united in protesting against the abduction and kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, and they are now demanding for their immediate and unconditional release. We all know that the Trump administration’s war against Venezuela was designed and clinically executed for corporate profits, and not for peace or democracy or human rights.
The civilised world cannot continue to look away. President Maduro and his wife must be released now! The Venezuelan people’s demand for the release of their constitutional and democratically-elected leader and his wife must be respected. Each nation should echo this message and demand their release. The on-going solidarity marches around the world in support of Venezuela must be reinforced and continued until the Trump administration releases President Maduro and his wife.
Free Nicolas Maduro! Free Cilia Flores Now! Hands Off Venezuela! Hands Off Latin America!
Sender:
Alimamy Bakarr Sankoh
International Executive Director (IED) and President of the Governing Council of the Hugo Chavez International Foundation for Peace, Friendship and Solidarity (HCIF-PFS)